Brother, sister, author, musician

Since I'm always on the lookout for a book-related post to put up here (what can I say, working at the library, books are always part of my hidden agenda), I was delighted to discover a new book and music connection: did you know that Colin Meloy of The Decemberists has a sister, Maile Meloy (pronounced like Miley Cyrus's name), who writes literary fiction? (For that matter, as you can see if you search our catalog for his name, he's written some books of his own.)

Tucson Meet Yourself

Calling all music fans (and food fans): Tucson Meet Yourself is coming up this weekend, on October 12-14! This should be an especially fun year for the festival, since it will overlap with the Tucson Zombie Walk and Pride in the Desert. Come meet everyone who "keeps Tucson weird" (as the bumper sticker goes), including many Pima County employees, who will mostly be gathered in the area near the sculpture in front of Main Library downtown. The Library staff will be out in force, and you may even get a chance to scope out the infamous Bookbike!

Found Magazine + Rasputina Visiting Tucson

After catching the hilarious Found Footage Festival at the Loft recently, I'm really excited for more peeks into the weird private moments of America, at the Found Magazine tour coming to Club Congress Saturday, October 20th. They often choose great musicians to accompany their show (the last time they were in town, it was the Watson Twins), and this time, one of my favorite (and equally weird) bands, Rasputina, is joining them.

Plus, on the following Sunday, October 21st, the Found Magazine folks are going to stop by Main Library at 2pm for a free matinee performance sponsored by, that's right, the coolest public library in Pima County. (The Sunday show will be minus Rasputina and some of the more risqué content). Read on for more info about Found Magazine and Rasputina!

Heroes for Just One Day

Fun fact I learned in library school: researchers at one large public library discovered that about most of the items people check out are ones that they found through browsing (as opposed to ones on a list, or ones they'd put on hold). The library is all about serendipity, like finding that hidden treasure on a shelf, or grabbing a choice item that's on display. This is just as true for music as it is for books. My favorite impulse checkout CD so far is War Child Presents: Heroes.

Nick Cave and the Sad Soundtracks

When I saw the first half of the last Harry Potter movie, I was delighted to recognize a classic song from one of my favorite artists: Nick Cave. So it got me to thinking, what other soundtracks or scores have his songs been on? Turns out, the library has a few! The Road was a bleak favorite. Follow the break for more info.

Suffer for Fashion: Of Montreal Live

Back in March, I caught Of Montreal at the Rialto Theater, one of my favorite local venues. They played to a very diverse crowd: it was fun to see young ravers be-glowsticked and covered in sequins navigating a less-hip and more-jaded, almost-sold-out space.

Play with The Polyphonic Spree

If you've never heard the upbeat, choral, layered sounds of The Polyphonic Spree, you're in for a treat if you check out their show, coming up soon on March 30th at the Rialto! Read on to learn more about this fun band...